Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

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Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles episodes

  • Deep Sleep Reveals NEW Fears!

    Finally J Smiles has a healthy sleep hygiene routine... and it works, perfectly. Well, she sleeps long and hard. The problem is the depth of slumber unlocks unknown caregiving consternation. She has to decide whether to ditch healthy sleep or face what the dreams are telling her about her relationship with Zetty.

    J fights through the frustration because she and Zetty are  worth it. She shares what she figures out, what scared her the most and more.

    SUBSCRIPTIONS
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    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
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    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    31 min
  • I look, talk, walk like me but I don't feel like me: Caregiver Confusion

    J Smiles takes a big trip to Washington, DC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is elated to take a such a meaningful vacation. A newbie caregiver at the time, J is looking forward to reclaiming free time and fun with college friends.

    She  is shocked when the umbrella of love and joy causes a revolt in her spirit. She is emotionally paralyzed and needs to figure out the triggers. Is this an one off or a pattern for the future?

    Smiles' travel companions are stunned and concerned... and J is scared because she cannot believe her response either. Listen for the stimulating steps of a dream trip where everything went according to plan except J's feelings. The epiphany, AH HA, occurs after she gets home and puts the puzzle pieces together.

    SUBSCRIPTIONS
    📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
    https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

    🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP! 
    https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

    🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

    📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    41 min
  • A Burglar is Breaking in on me & Zetty!

    For once J is able to get Zetty in the bed before 2am, excited and sound asleep all hell breaks loose when the house alarm blares "intruder alert."

    J is delirious, rubbing her eyes and trying to determine what to do. One thing is clear, secure Zetty in the bedroom. The problem is Zetty refuses to stay  in the bedroom and demands to follow J to investigate the house.

    J has navigate her fear,  confusion and intense desire to protect Zetty. What unfold is anything but a routine night.

    J Smiles sheds light on how the most mundane of daily blips in other households are chaotic events for caregivers.

    SUBSCRIPTIONS
    📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
    https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

    🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP! 
    https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

    🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

    📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    28 min
  • Caregiver Dating

    J Smiles believes that dating is self care. The problem is she cannot seem to secure a date.  She takes the listener on a journey of her pre-caregiver dating existence. 

    After Zetty's ALZ diagnosis, there is so much sacrifice, routine, schedule, doctor's appointments, sorrow and exhaustion often J is too overwhelmed to try.

    J Smiles shares humorous positive and negative caregiver dating stories. She doesn't see a clear pattern. But she is focused on figuring it out. 

    Can caregivers have a healthy dating life?


    SUBSCRIPTIONS
    📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
    https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

    🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP! 
    https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

    🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

    📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    39 min
  • "New" mama would embarrass "old" mama!

    Caregiving is so nuanced. We can identify the major things swiftly -- medicine and food must be consumed; bills paid and so on.

    What happens when non-harmful modifications appear? Those creature comforts - habits - preferences that you are accustomed to your LO choosing like clockwork. Perhaps it is always drinking coffee in the morning or wearing pajama pants instead of a nightgown... a favorite watch or red lipstick.

    These subtleties can sting us more than we realize. J Smiles recounts supporting  a caregiver newbie through the process of recognizing "NEW" mom can  prefer things "OLD" mom would have found  despicable.

    J shares comparable experiences  with Zetty and offers resources for the listener too.

    GetVokl: Live VideoCast - watch/interact every Monday @ 7p EST USA 
    Parenting UP! "A Caregiving Conversation"   :#AMA
    https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

    SUBSCRIPTIONS
    📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
    https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

    🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP! 
    https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

    🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

    📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    26 min
  • Sleep: The New Soulmate

    Who knew skipping sleep could add up so quickly? Not, J Smiles!

    What J believed was a supernatural power is now bad for her. She struggles -- yet again --  to accept a monumental shift. Most of her life she has functioned on much less than 8hrs of sleep per night.

    An easy peasy chat with her therapist opened a door J didn't even know existed. Problem? What problem? A mountain of questions later, J is scrambling to understand the merits of  "sleep hygiene", wondering how her's got dirty and praying for a plan to avoid the all-to-common caregiver burnout. Since caring for Zetty is the top priority then burnout is not an option.

    Smiles finds and shares healthy sleeping techniques plus the consequences of not using them.

    GetVokl: Live VideoCast - watch/interactive every Monday @ 7p EST USA 
    Parenting UP! "A Caregiving Conversation"   :
    https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

    SUBSCRIPTIONS
    📲Instagram: Parenting UP!
    https://www.instagram.com/parentingup/

    🖥 Facebook Page: Parenting UP! 
    https://www.facebook.com/parentingup

    🎥 YouTube Channel: Parenting UP!
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDGFb1t2RC_m1yMnFJ2T4jw

    📧 Email List: Parenting Up!
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x


    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    34 min
  • Agh, Zetty Escaped!

    J Smiles opens Season 2 with a riveting story of personal panic. J wakes up but cannot find Zetty anywhere.

    On vacation and without her local support system, J scrambles to create a strategy to trace Zetty's steps. But where to start?  What time did Zetty leave? How did she get out? Did anyone see her? 

    Learn the remarkable ways ALZ Zetty outsmarted healthy adults. Hotel security is forced to involve the local Police.  In the end, J is even more convinced that mainstream society is clueless as to what Alzheimer's looks like.

    Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "A Caregiving Conversation" on Getvokl (Interactive Videocast),  @ 7p EST USA:
    https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

    Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    DoorJammer Portable Door Lock
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HM9HVN4?tag=frontdoorlock-20&th=1&psc=1&geniuslink=true

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    36 min
  • Rolling with Resistance - caregiver Omar Hamilton

    Omar Hamilton joins J Smiles on a deep dive into the life of a child flying blindly into the foggy cognitive abyss of a parent. Omar's dad was living independently and quite self sufficient. Or so everyone thought.

    Omar, a classic New Yorker, moved swiftly as soon as his father's decline was obvious. But Omar was perplexed. He saw his dad often. They dined weekly, spoke daily  --- how did things unravel so much, so quickly?

    J gets Omar to reveal the hassle of relocation, real estate, the worry of 3am calls from the police,  selecting doctors, hiring caregivers, the mounting economics  of private pay, balancing his career and more.

    J Smiles and Omar met decades ago at Howard University. The comfort and warmth of their foundation makes the conversation flow smoothly recounting sensitive caregiving moments. Omar has not shared his story publicly until The Parenting Up Family, he trusts that this is a safe space. 

    Resistance seems to meet him at every turn --- from every person.  Listen to how he rolls with it, propelled by love.


    Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation"on Getvokl,  @ 9p EST USA:
    https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

    Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    1 hr 24 min
  • Pivoting on Pins and Needles - the life of caregiver Erika Watson

    J Smiles and Erika have been thick as theives for over 20 yrs. Howard University and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority cemented their relationship. But as only kids who love to travel, who appreciate fine dining, who have never missed a proper brunch and who seamlessly merge Rosé with a Rick Ross beat... they take the listener on Erika's abrupt realization of her mom's cognitive decline as if recounting one of their jaunts in Washington, D.C.

    Erika's dry wit mixes very well with J's storytelling. Even though Erika is typically private, J Smiles, eases her into revealing one detail, one day at a times. Eventually we learn of Ms. Watson's membership in the sandwich generation. Often exhausted, confused and forced to execute under duress, Erika pivots with passion because her mom needs her. Several stories leave J gasping for air - grateful for levity.

    ###


    Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation"on Getvokl,  @ 9p EST USA:
    https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

    Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    1 hr 16 min
  • Uh oh! Zetty wants a smart phone.

    Zetty throws J Smiles off with a request for a cell phone. What seems like a simple ask turns into a quest for the holy grail.  For Zetty, J soon realizes it is a dignity issue too.

    J Smiles takes listeners on a rollercoaster journey of communication product assessments. She points out design features created to improve the lives of  seniors. Question is does J agree. Will any of the items help a dementia/ALZ sufferer like Zetty?

    J Smiles leans into her product design and engineering expertise to dive deep into the market --- putting Zetty first, she finds a solution in the oddest place.

    ###

    Tune-in every Monday for Parenting UP! "LIVE video Caregiving Conversation" on Getvokl,  @ 9p EST USA:
    https://getvokl.com/channel/parenting-up

    Subscribe to Parenting Up! Email List:
    https://b4db2913.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAFb7W1pjVP8P4JIrkBHRXOfRw5WmI0diWuV5VYbvytnea2JSVYv6EBwSGk9h_cPs_94Gz2EXg5v69ExKMcSs692SELz4zWoLERp99gNEiaZx8xzQ4xPVZ_6WLRKBofH0PFlsW3V48LQRegv5ybsLstpm14rY8fWyOAM0FhX9Qynnb-aPtwpIRYEMyLK55IcwLbSl2SvsPy8x

    Jitterbug Cell Phone for Seniors:
    https://www.jitterbugdirect.com

    Gizmo GPS Watch for Kids:
    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/reviews/verizon-gizmowatch-smartwatch-verizon-wireless-black-with-blue-band/6300212

    Support the show

    "Alzheimer's is heavy but we ain't gotta be!"
    IG: https://www.instagram.com/parentingup
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/parentingup
    YT: https://www.youtube.com/@parentingup
    TEXT  'PODCAST"  to  +1 404 737 1449  - to give J topic ideas, feedback, say hi!
    Be sure to leave us a review! 

    27 min

About Parenting UP! Caregiving adventures with comedian J Smiles

From the publisher's feed

Get engulfed in the intense journey of a caregiver who happens to be a comedian. J Smiles use of levity reveals the stress and rewards of caregiving interwoven with her own personal journey. …

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